David Patrick Stearns reviews Verdi: Simon Boccanegra in the August issue of Gramophone Magazine:
“Ever since Dmitri Hvorostovsky began stepping carefully into the heavier Verdi baritone repertoire, his presence and temperament would seem to point towards Simon Boccanegra. … Hvorostovsky’s famous breath control is hugely welcome in Verdi’s expansive vocal lines…always the best part of his voice. … His scenes later in Act 2…are truly Hvorostovsky at his best. … Though Delos is no stranger to vocal recitals, this set represents the label’s first foray into complete opera…perfectly assured on every level, with fine sound quality — the offstage choruses rendered with exactly the right kind of presence…Constantine Orbelian has a solid Lithuanian orchestra and chorus…Incidental roles, with local talent, are well done. And with Ildar Abdrazakov as Fiesco, the confrontation with Boccanegra in Act 3 has plenty of sparks. As Gabriele, Stefano Secco is a clean lyric tenor who does the work of a much heavier voice, and with such a strong sense of dramtic line in ‘Cielo pietoso, rendila’ that you almost expect to hear applause. … Barbara Frittoli…blends well with Secco and is one of the few Verdians whose use of the language is both lyrical and conversational.” —David Patrick Stearns, Gramophone
Find the full review in the August issue of Gramophone Magazine
